Craig James, 38, of New Orleans, was indicted on January 29, 2026, for allegedly distributing fentanyl. The charges were announced by United States Attorney David I. Courcelle.
The indictment states that on July 14, 2025, James distributed at least forty grams of a substance containing fentanyl. Fentanyl is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance.
If convicted, James could face between five and forty years in prison. He may also be fined up to $5 million and would serve at least four years of supervised release. There is also a mandatory special assessment fee of $100.
United States Attorney Courcelle emphasized: “the indictment is merely a charging document and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Briana N. Williams from the Narcotics Unit is prosecuting the case.
